Archive for December, 2011

â€œSpeed is Fine, Accuracy is Final is the motto I adopted when it comes to combat marksmanship. The reason is simple; the only way to guarantee ending a gunfight in your favor is accurate hits on target – fast misses don’t cut it.â€

It’s kind of like Pokemon, there’s a chance to get one of each prize from the 12 days. On the “13th” Day, we’ll pick a winner at random from those who are willing to participate. It’s going to take some work on your part but considering the prize, well worth the effort.

There is a replica AirFrame helmet on the market now. Hopefully, it won’t be a problem for anybody who wants to use it for real world use as the manufacturer even states that it is only intended for display use. However, the fact that there are replica helmets out there is reason enough to put out an alert. Make sure the helmet and other PPE you purchased or were issued is the real deal. Generally, this isn’t a problem if you were issued the equipment new through RFI or CIF. However, if it’s a reissue take a hard look at it. There is nothing to say that someone before you didn’t turn in a cheap knockoff in order to clear. Sometimes, these copies, which are generally built for MilSim use are very well executed and can fool someone who isn’t looking for a fake.

If you are purchasing your gear from an off base outfitter or through the web, give it the once over before you put it into service.

My friend Jonathon Long has a blog that frequently discusses government contract and procurement issues. This time he takes on the issue of set asides for the Federal Bureau of Prisons and their business (yes business), UNICOR that is a protected source of procurement for many products used by military personnel including uniforms and helmets. We discussed this issue over the summer. It is our position that incarceration of those convicted of crimes is a burden that must be borne by society through its government administered institutions. The moment incarceration becomes a profit generating enterprise it becomes vulnerable to corruption. UNICOR uses prison labor to produce a wide variety of products. They pay prisoners pennies for their work. Oftentimes, UNICOR products cost more than their commercial counterparts. You do the math. What’s more, PPE produced by UNICOR has failed in the past. Set asides, that guarantee contracts to UNICOR should stop. If they want the business, they should competitively bid like everyone else and be required to pay a minimum wage for their laborers.

One of the things that makes this Gen 3 night vision device worth note is that it is compatible with Nikon and Canon SLR Cameras and their lenses. It can be attached to the chassis and placed between the camera and lens in order to create a long range night vision camera. Visit N-Vision at SHOT Show in Booth #20034.

Anticipating a wholesale switch to brown boots for the UK military in order to blend in better with their new MultiCam-based pattern Multi Terrain Pattern (MTP), specialist cobbler Altberg boots has introduced several of their models in brown. For example, here is the Bergen, one of their rough terrain models.

I recently got to check one of these and it is wicked. The Small Arms Armorer’s Tool Case is stocked with everything you need to service standard US military issue weapons (M9, M4, M16, M240B, M249SAW, Mk19, etc.). It includes a full complement of Armorer’s Tools, (Roll Pin Punches, Hammers, and Twisting Pliers) as well as Otis’s Quick Detach Armorer’s Tool Bag and the Otis Deluxe Military Elite Cleaning System. As you can see in the photo below, Deluxe Military Elite Cleaning System is fully outfitted to clean everything from a 9mm to a 40mm.

Agencies and units can source the entire line of Otis cleaning products through www.adsinc.com.